Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Saint Shri Ravidas was a symbol of social harmony. He eradicated social evils and awakened society. India is progressing on the path of liberation from the mental slavery, following the path shown by him. Sagar is experiencing social harmony today. The foundation stone for the Sant Ravidas Memorial and Art Gallery has been laid, which will be grand and divine. A new era of social harmony is beginning in Madhya Pradesh for which he congratulat the Chief Minister Shri Chouhan and the people of the state.
Modi said that when it is completed in a year and a half, I will surely come for its inauguration. He was addressing a public gathering after after the ground-breaking ceremony of the Sant Shri Ravidas memorial and Art Gallery at Sagar district’s Badtuma at Dhaana. The Prime Minister dedicated to people the Kota-Bina double rail line. He also laid the foundation stone for two road projects costing over Rs. 1580 crores.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the teachings of Sant Shri Ravidas Ji will inspire the new generation through this memorial site. The spirit of harmony will prevail here. He praised the efforts of collecting soil from around 20 thousand villages and nearly 300 rivers bringing it to Sagar for this project, saying that this initiative represents social harmony and unity. The Samrasata Yatras concluding today in fact marks the beginning of a new era.
Modi further explained that inspiration and progress go hand in hand, leading to beginning of a new era. Madhya Pradesh deserves praise for this. Madhya Pradesh is progressing fast. He said that Sant Shri Ravidas Ji was visionary. He was born in an era when the Mughal rule prevailed, and society was facing injustices. He worked for awakening of the society, fighting against evils, and guiding those entangled in caste distinctions. There were numerous constraints in society. He gave society a courage to fight.
Prime Minister said that Sant Ravidas Ji’s thoughts are inspiring to eradicate poverty and hunger in contemporary times. During the pandemic, the government launched the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) to provide free food to over 80 crore Indians who were vulnerable due to the pandemic.
He highlighted that the maximum beneficiaries of the schemes for the welfare of the poor in the country are the socially and economically marginalized, the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and the downtrodden. He affirmed that the nation stands by them at every step of life, supporting their aspirations. He cited the example of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, which provides financial assistance of Rs. 6,000 to newborns and their mothers. The Ayushman Bharat Scheme ensures free healthcare for newborns and their vaccination. Efforts to control diseases, including sickle cell anemia have been launched. The government aims for a tuberculosis-free India by 2025. Similar work is being carried out to control other diseases that plague the marginalized and impoverished. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana ensures housing for every poor person.
The Prime Minister said that the education facilities have been augmented by the establishment of 701 Eklavya Model Schools, provision of textbooks, mid-day meals for students, and the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana for the empowerment of the girl child. Scholarships are provided to economically weaker sections for higher education, and the Mudra Yojana fosters self-reliance among the youth. The Stand-Up India scheme has already provided financial assistance to over 8 crore beneficiaries. The Jan Dhan Yojana is benefiting millions of people.
Modi reiterated that every poor person should have a house. For this, housing schemes and free electricity and water connections have been provided. The less fortunate sections of society are now standing on their own feet thanks to these initiatives.
In honor of Sant Ravidas Ji, renaming of institutions in the country and Madhya Pradesh:
Prime Minister said that just as the beautification of the birthplace of Sant Ravidas is being undertaken in Varanasi, similar commendable work is also being carried out in Madhya Pradesh. The Global Skill Park in Govindpura, Bhopal, has been named after Sant Ravidas Ji. The construction of a museum in Sagar that showcases the life and teachings of Sant Ravidas Ji is also an important step in this direction. In Madhya Pradesh, railway stations have been named after Rani Kamalapati and Tantya Mama, and Panch Teerth places associated with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar are being developed. The teachings of saints, martyrs, and great personalities, including Sant Ravidas, will unite society.
Lakhha Banjare Remembered
Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the contribution of Lakhha Banjare, the creator of Sagar’s vast lake, saying that the identity of this city is closely tied to the Lakhha Banjara lake spread across 400 acres. Lakhha Banjare recognized the importance of water and initiated the creation of the lake. The government, following the tradition of Lakhha Banjare, has established 75 Amrit Sarovars in each district during the Amrit Kal of Independence, turning them into centers of social harmony. Through the Jal Jeevan Mission, water is being delivered to homes via piped lines. Prime Minister Modi stated that today, the city of Sagar has become a sea of harmony.
CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that today is an auspicious day for Madhya Pradesh, Bundelkhand, and Sagar. He said that a decision was made to construct a grand temple of Saint Ravidas Ji in Sagar’s Badtuma. It is our privilege that Prime Minister has graced the foundation-laying ceremony for this grand temple.
He emphasized that Sant Shri Ravidas Ji brought together the nation. He conveyed the message of equality and harmony irrespective of status. Through this temple, future generations will come to know about Saint Ravidas Ji and follow the path he preached.
He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided free meal to 80 crore sisters and brothers, initiated programs like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, and Ayushman Bharat Yojana to provide healthcare to the poor. Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked to save the lives of 140 crore Indians through by ensuring availability of vaccine.
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of PM Shri Modi, Madhya Pradesh is progressing. As many as 1.40 crore people have risen above the poverty line. PM Shri Modi’s decisions are changing the scenario of Bundelkhand. A Rs. 50,000 crore investment is forthcoming for petrochemical products based on non-refined oil in Bundelkhand. He thanked Shri Modi for this.
Chouhan revealed that the Ken-Betwa project in Bundelkhand will soon commence, leading to irrigation on 20 lakh acres of land. This project will bring prosperity to Bundelkhand and enable it to surpass Punjab and Haryana. A Rs. 44,000 crore plan has been presented as a gift to the people of Bundelkhand. He invited Shri Modi to lay foundation of these projects.
The Chief Minister appreciated the historic and unprecedented changes occurring in Parliament, with laws instituted by the British being reformed. He said that those committing heinous acts against innocent girl child will have to face strict consequences. A new India is emerging under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
He conveyed his gratitude for the initiation of the petrochemical project and the Ken-Betwa foundation ceremony by Shri Modi. He expressed that they would soon have a grand temple under the blessings of Saint Ravidas Ji Maharaj, which would further enhance the glory of Bundelkhand region.
The foundation for two road projects costing over Rs 1580 crore was laid, along with the dedication to people of the Kota-Bina rail track doubling project by the Prime Minister. The double-tracking project, with an estimated cost of over Rs 2475, will improre transportation and train speed on the Kota-Bina rail route, benefiting Rajasthan’s Kota and Baran districts, as well as Madhya Pradesh’s Guna, Ashoknagar, and Sagar districts.
Foundation for Road Projects Laid
The Prime Minister laid foundation of road projects including the four-lane road connecting Morikori-Vidisha-Hinotia and the road linking Hinotia and Mehluwa. These projects will improve connectivity benefitting various cities and pilgrimage sites.
The project have a total length of 288.236 kilometers and cost is Rs 247.43 crore. The project includes 32 major bridges, 4 road underbridges, 43 level crossings, and 36 stations. The maximum projected speed on this line would be 110 km/h.
Benefits of the project includes increased train speed, improved passenger and freight traffic, enhanced connectivity for cities and pilgrimage sites, better coal supply to power plants, support for local agriculture and coal transportation, employment opportunities, and socio-economic development in the concerned districts.
The foundation for two road projects costing over Rs 1580 crore was laid, along with the dedication to people of the Kota-Bina rail track doubling project by the Prime Minister. The double-tracking project, with an estimated cost of over Rs 2475, will improre transportation and train speed on the Kota-Bina rail route, benefiting Rajasthan’s Kota and Baran districts, as well as Madhya Pradesh’s Guna, Ashoknagar, and Sagar districts.
The Prime Minister laid foundation of road projects including the four-lane road connecting Morikori-Vidisha-Hinotia and the road linking Hinotia and Mehluwa. These projects will improve connectivity benefitting various cities and pilgrimage sites.
The project have a total length of 288.236 kilometers and cost is Rs 247.43 crore. The project includes 32 major bridges, 4 road underbridges, 43 level crossings, and 36 stations. The maximum projected speed on this line would be 110 km/h.
Benefits of the project includes increased train speed, improved passenger and freight traffic, enhanced connectivity for cities and pilgrimage sites, better coal supply to power plants, support for local agriculture and coal transportation, employment opportunities, and socio-economic development in the concerned districts.
Those present included Shri Veerendra Khateek, Minister of Central Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel
Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of Jal Shakti (Water Resources) and Planning
